Which front bumper would you pick?

I was sent some pics of the test fitting and it looked awesome, let me try to dig them up

 

Right on I'd like to see it. Looks like they don't have any on their website.

 

Does anyone have concerns about the winch bumpers and airflow to the intercoolers?

I started a new thread on this but i'll delete and just ask here.

I had many F150s in the past and you could only do the winch mount bumpers on the 5.0 not any of the ecoboosts because of issues with airflow and intercooler blockage. I honestly don't know where the intercooler is on the tundras and mine won't be here until the end of August so i'm trying to get out in front of it before I order a bumper for my truck that only starts being built tomorrow (supposedly)

 

The intercoolers get fed directly by the vents under the headlights.

 

If I have any concerns about the intercoolers...it might be that some aftermarket bumpers leave them TOO exposed. I've seen a few prototype bumpers out there on IG and other places that leave the intercoolers so exposed that I'd be worried about rocks & flying debris.

Case in point is DV8's bumper. See the screenshot below. However, in DV8's "defense"...I've always found their products to be geared more to the "Brodozer" and "Mall Crawler" community than the true off road enthusiast.

DV8's lack of intercooler protection. You can see the bottom fins of the intercooler are partially exposed plus lower housing/mounting structure:



CBI & C4 both seem to have (I'll make up a name for it)..."wing plates" that come off the main bumper structure and protect the underside of the intercooler. See below.

Intercooler protection from CBI's bumper:



Intercooler protection from C4's bumper:

 

@montera.built Any chance u can throw up a pick of your bumpers area around the inter cooler? I’m just curious. I have one of lil b’s bumpers on order.

 

Yes, this is actually what I am waiting to order. I like that it looks factory but has spots for recovery hooks/rings and a spot for a winch. This has been my number one pick all along.

 

Yep I'm at work all day on the motorcycle but when I get home I'll snag some pics!

 

@DexterL got any pics yet?

 

Its been over 100 degrees here every day and haven't been able to locate a garage to use, plus Caleb at C4 told me to budget about 6-8 hrs for the install if its my first time pulling the front end off. I am aiming to crank out the front bumper and TRD pro grill Friday/ Saturday this week and hopefully the rear bumper as well- only issue being I dont have my S2's for the back yet and looking at the bumper on the ground it looks like a nightmare to install them once on the truck, so the rear might have to wait.

 

Not the best pics, but got some

 

I ordered the CBI last week. 4 week lead time, hoping for sooner. It will be nice to have tow hooks and a winch before I go off adventuring too far in the mud.

 

I heard they are getting ready for the SEMA show. Don't count on just the 4 weeks it may be longer.

 

It’s CBI, I’d expect it in about 4 years

 

CBI is/was running 10-12 weeks when I ordered on June 15th. The only way they ship faster is if you're an influencer. Kinda $hitty for the common folk like me, but it is what it is. I still think their bumper is the best looking one on the market so I'll wait. Plus, I really like their 2-piece design. Makes it easy to work on the winch & accessories IMO. I'm not planning any big trips until the fall anyways and my Icon suspension is 12-16 weeks out too. So I'm not in a rush. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

ICYMI - Sharing for folks interested in a full size bumper. Both CBI & C4 posted install videos for their full size bumpers.

CBI Baja Bumper Install Video: https://youtu.be/k4RhgZfGMIY

C4 Overland Bumper Install Video: https://youtu.be/rEZRE4FxY0o

C4's is very in-depth (it's a 90 min video), but both are informative if you're considering DIY installation.

 

Just dropped off to powdercoat. Can’t wait to get it on

 

Can’t wait to see it! Install is a mofo, set a side a full day. If you are on the fence about a pro grill swap, just do it at the same time

 

Who makes this and where do I purchase? Thanks

 

https://cbioffroadfab.com/product/t...3qUHMVj7Was4briN92wndoWzCTQdkwEhoCZOQQAvD_BwE

 

FYI- I found that Line-X holds up way better than powdercoating does.

 

I'm excited to see the C4 units shipping out. Hopefully, my full Baja bumper isn't too far behind with CBI. I'm at 8 weeks waiting into a 10 week lead time.

I'm totally on the same page here. I've got a stack of parts and/or ideas for parts to tackle when I do the bumper. Thinking about ordering a paint matched upper mustache piece from OEM Painted Parts and (possibly) doing the TRD Pro grill at the same time. Nice thing about doing a full bumper is the lower mustache pieces get tossed so I only have to worry about the upper portion. Still on the fence about the Pro grill.

Either way, I've already told the wife I'll be in the garage for a full weekend when the bumper finally arrives. lol.

In general, I do find powder coating to be more "fragile" than something like a poly or rubber spray liner product. I don't know if I've been the victim of bad powder coat jobs, but the coating seems to get brittle over time and becomes easily chipped. Not sure if this from UV damage or what. I had a roof rack & sliders on my 4Runner, both from different manufacturers, and I was constantly having to perform rust mitigation after about 3-4 years. The PC had faded and I could tell it had become brittle. Each chip would eventually turn into flaking if I didn't repair it quickly enough.

I've personally shot Raptor Liner on various parts (bumpers, steps, sliders, etc) and found it tends to be more forgiving over the years. It's tougher to clean, but it has more "give" to it. So I've found it to less prone to rock chipping. It also seem to be more UV stable than PC. Both of those experiences (PC & Raptor Liner) were in high humidity, salt air/coastal environments. Both finishes are PITA to repair correctly. Otherwise your repair option is to just grind & spray with a matching rattle can color.

I'm anticipating the PC to hold up much better here in a dry desert environment. It may still get UV damage, but at least I won't have to battle rust.

I suppose I could help protect the PC by waxing it or something? Never considered that.

 

I had my old Ford bumper PC’d and it held up pretty well over about 7 years. Took it to the same spot so hopefully get the same results!

 

The roof rack I mentioned in the above post was a Gobi rack. I love their designs, but I've heard their PC quality control is pretty poor. I might've just been a victim of a bad PC job.

The CBI bumper I ordered is PC'd from them so we'll see how it holds up over the years.

 

An alternative to power coating or rubberized coatings is a product called POR-15 (you can apply this yourself). It is a four step process: Step 1 - degrease the substrate, Step 2. - apply POR-15 metal prep to the substrate (this basically leaves a layer of zinc phosphate), Step 3 apply a thin coat or 2 coats of POR -15 rust preventative (this coating physically bonds to the metal substrate), Step 4. - apply a POR-15 top coat which prevents degradation from UV. I just finished coating the frame and undercarriage of my ‘69 Chevelle with this product.

 

Addictive Desert Designs has a bumper coming out in a few weeks. I got to see a sneak peak at the CAD drawing and if you like this rendering I think you’ll be pleased with the final product.

 

Looks similar to the Southern Off-road design

 

It reminds me of DV8 products. Looks like it's meant to appeal to the Jeep Mall Crawler / Bro-dozer crowd. No offense to those who like it. It would look right at home on a F250 with a 10" lift that was rocking deep dish 24"s with 4" thin tires and neon green under carriage lights. hehe.

Regardless of the look, anything that improves armor & approach angle is definitely an upgrade!

 

Yeah I would agree with you. It’s hard to tell from the rendering, but what I saw looks pretty good. I like the SSO just wish they didn’t match the inner grille line and followed the mustache.

I get what your saying, but I don’t think it’s like the DV8 bumper at all IMO.


FYI I have no affiliation with them just thought I’d share. Personally I just want someone to make a tube bumper haha. I might end up getting one custom built by Stellar Built here in Northern California at the beginning of the year if one doesn’t come out.

 

A tube bumper you say? Say no more. Keep an eye on Addictive Desert Designs.

They're working on adapting their prerunner-style tube bumpers (front & rear) for the 3rd Gen. Pics of their Tacoma tube bumper below for reference. I see their products a lot around here on desert trucks.